India on Friday said with the resolution of stand-off at Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15), India and China mutually agreed to take the talks forward. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said both sides also agreed to resolve the remaining issues along LAC and restore peace and tranquility in India-China border areas.
The sixteenth round of talks between the Corps Commanders of India and China was held at Chushul Moldo Meeting Point on 17 July this year. Mr. Bagchi said, since then, the two sides had maintained regular contact to build on the progress achieved during the talks to resolve the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of India-China border areas.
As a result, both sides have now agreed on disengagement in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15).
Mr. Bagchi said, as per the agreement, the disengagement process in this area started yesterday morning and will be completed by 12th of September. He said, the two sides have agreed to cease forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner, resulting in the return of the troops of both sides to their respective areas.
It has been agreed that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified. The landforms in the area will be restored to pre-stand-off period by both sides.
Mr. Bagchi said, the agreement ensures that the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both sides, and that there will be no unilateral change in status quo.
